Research History

1900
Dr Myra Mackenzie is the University's first female graduate in medicine. She goes on to become Resident Physician and Surgeon at the Aberdeen Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

1903
Dr Isabel Kerr graduates with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB). In 1911, she opens a leprosy centre in India then a treatment hospital in 1915 from where she launches a pioneering program of treatment for leprosy in 1921.


1913
The Rowett Institute is founded by Sir John Boyd Orr, who goes on to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 1949. The Rowett is now a global leader in nutrition research and plays a major role in the UK's research capability in nutrition and human health.

1916
Matthew Hay, who was appointed Chair of Forensic Medicine in 1883, launched his vision of one site for all hospitals which eventually became the Joint Hospitals Scheme and the Foresterhill Health Campus.

In 1888, he became the city's Medical Officer of Health and used the opportunity to improve the lives of the local community. Taking action against poor living conditions in Aberdeen, Hay pioneered slum clearances and campaigned for new council housing.

Now one of Europe's largest medical campuses, Foresterhill houses a number of centres and institutes which provide world class research, education and health services.

1924
Agnes Mure Mackenzie graduates with a Doctor of Literature from the University. In 1923 her first novel, Without Conditions, was published followed by a biography of King Robert the Bruce, historical novels for young readers and a number of Scottish History books. In 1945, she's awarded a CBE for her services to Scottish literature and history.

1944
Eric Linklater, University Rector from 1945-48, is awarded the Carnegie Medal for the year's best British children's book - The Wind on the Moon.

In the 1930s, Linklater became a full time writer, with much of his writing based on his time in the military during World War I.

In 1954, Linklater was awarded a CBE and then elected fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1971. The University's Linklater Rooms are named in his honour.

1958
Principal between 1948-1962, Sir Thomas Murray Taylor was well known for his work in Scots Law but also played a key role in trying to ensure the University could retain a hoard of treasure discovered by researchers on St Ninian's Isle in Shetland. As the trove was of national significance, it was moved to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and remains one of the most important Scottish archaeology discoveries of the 20th century.

1965
Professor John Mallard becomes the University's first Professor of Medical Physics and goes on to lead the team that plays a key role in the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology.

The next generation of MRI technology, Fast Field Cycling (FFC-MRI), is now being developed at the University by Professor David Lurie and his research collaborators across Europe.

1974
Triple graduate of the University, Dr Mary Esslemont, becomes the first female assessor on the University Court.

With a keen interest in social welfare and humanitarian issues, she travelled the world with the World Medical Association. She also served on the University General Council for more than 40 years, was Vice President of the British Medical Association and became the first woman chairperson of the Scottish Council in 1968.

In 1954, she received an honorary LL.D from the University and was awarded a CBE in 1955. After many years working as a GP in Aberdeen, she was awarded Freedom of the City in 1981.

1980
Built by Professor James Hutchison, the Mark 1 MRI scanner successfully scans its first patient and is the first of its kind in the world.

Although the technology was developed in the 1970s, Professor Hutchison built the first full-body scanner and developed spin-warp imaging - a game-changing technique which was adopted around the world and is still used today in MRI machines.

1995
The University establishes the Elphinstone Institute to celebrate its 500th birthday.

A centre for the study of ethnology, folklore and ethnomusicology, the Elphinstone Institute researches and promotes the culture of the North and North-East of Scotland, and increases public understanding of the importance and relevance of culture in today's society.